Articulated parking barrier

ABSTRACT

The Articulated Parking Barrier, when deployed, prevents un-authorized automobile entry to adjacent parking spaces. This unique device is attached at the centerline dividing two adjacent parking spaces to prohibit unauthorized parking at one or both adjacent spaces. By this placement the opposing, right and left, articulated arms can be deployed independently as barriers to adjacent unoccupied parking spaces. When not deployed, the Articulated Parking Barrier appears to be nothing more than a metal divider post between two automobile parking spaces. Deployment and retraction of the articulated arms can be by hand or a remote-controlled, motor-driven mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of Parking Barrier devices that physically prohibit an unauthorized person parking an automobile in another person's authorized and assigned automobile parking space. An assigned parking space may be designated in a specific area of an open parking lot or at a specified location at a line of covered spaces.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The field of devices providing physical barriers to deter unauthorized use of an assigned parking space are varied. They have been developed over the time of increased collective urban automobile parking. The majority of presentations have been pavement surface, plate-mounted devices. These devices are pivoted up from ground-surface positions or elevated from in-ground stowed positions to present a bollard-style automobile parking barrier.

[0005] One example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,471 issued to Koerber. This is a retractable post device that is elevated from an in-ground stowed condition and twist-locked to provide a limited vertical height bollard-style parking barrier. The low profile position provides poor visibility and potential for collision liability. Trouble-free, repeated elevating of this device is reduced by potential contamination from any or all of these natural conditions: dirt, water, snow and ice.

[0006] Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,178 issued to Wilson, et al. This retractable sliding arm device is elevated from a shallow in-ground stowed condition to an elevated open triangle shaped parking barrier. When elevated, the limited vertical height of this ground based, open-triangle structure presents a serious potential safety hazard to pedestrians as well as vehicles.

[0007] Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,338 issued to Alberts. This is another bollard-type device with limited vertical height. The low profile position provides poor visibility and potential for collision liability. The retractable post is elevated from an in-ground stowed condition by a very complex mechanism telescoping out of a sealed casing. Trouble free, repeated telescopic positioning through natural conditions of dirt, water, snow and ice will result in frequent down time for maintenance and repair.

[0008] Yet another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,674 issued to Weibel. This is a pavement surface plate-mounted device with a U-shaped barrier that rotates from a horizontal stowed condition to a limited vertical height parking barrier position. The device incorporates a housing containing a power supply and signal controller for remote motorized deployment. When elevated or stowed, this ground-based structure presents a serious potential safety hazard to pedestrians as well as vehicles.

[0009] A similar example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,093 issued to Hamilton. This is yet another pavement surface plate-mounted device with a U-shaped barrier that rotates up from a horizontal stowed condition to a limited vertical height parking barrier position. This device is manually rotated to the vertical limited height parking barrier position. When elevated or stowed, this ground based structure presents a serious potential safety hazard to pedestrians as well as vehicles.

[0010] Additional examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,563; U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,797; U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,459 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,929. These are similar pivoted up from ground-surface or elevated from in-ground stowed devices. They present the same deficiencies in service applications and safety issues as the devices in the previously disclosed examples.

[0011] Thus, a number of parking barrier devices are known. All provide limited function and some have further limitations due to complexity of assembly configuration. None of these have been configured with diligent consideration toward these major function conditions: ease of installation, operation, or maintenance with safe full barrier application.

[0012] The Articulated Parking Barrier has been studied, developed, field tested and engineered to provide these major functions and more. It has been developed from aluminum structural stock to the preferred embodiment for application to assigned parking spaces located under covered parking structures. An alternate deployment could be applied by inverting the device and attaching the mounting plate to the ground.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0013] Disadvantages inherent to known parking barrier devices have been outlined. The need for a such a device has been pronounced. The present invention has been studied and developed with diligent consideration toward satisfying all of the major function conditions: 1) Trouble-free ease of installation and maintenance, 2) any weather operation, and 3) a safe, highly visible, large-scale elevated automobile parking barrier. The preferred embodiment is applied to covered parking structures. An alternate deployment could be applied by inverting the mounting procedure with attachment to the ground surface.

[0014] A person leaving his/her assigned parking space would deploy the Articulated Parking Barrier from the locked vertical stowed position to the locked horizontal barrier position. This action would prevent unauthorized vehicles from using the assigned parking space while the assignee is away. Upon returning to the assigned parking space the assignee would re-deploy the Articulated Parking Barrier to the locked vertical stowed position to gain entry to the subject's assigned vehicle parking space.

DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS

[0015] Drawing FIG. 1. This figure provides an elevation view of a typical, open front, covered parking facility. The Articulated Parking Barrier (1) is shown attached to the Facia-beam (2) at the Centerline (3) that divides two parking spaces. From this location, the Right-arm (4) is shown articulated into the locked-horizontal barrier position to protect that parking space. A Car (5) is shown occupying the right side space. The car is itself a barrier so a barrier arm would not normally be deployed.

[0016] Drawing FIG. 2. This figure provides a close-up view of the Articulated Parking Barrier (1). The arms are articulated at the Pivot-shafts (6) for application to the locked horizontal barrier position or the locked vertical stowed position. In either position, Locks (7) are applied to the Lock-hasps (8) to secure the desired position. The Left-arm (9) is shown in the locked-vertical stowed position. It is held at that position by a Friction-tab on Mounting-plate (10). A Lock (7) is then applied to the Lock-hasp (8) to secure the position. The Right-arm (4) is shown articulated at the Pivot-shaft (6) into the locked horizontal barrier position. A Lock (7) is applied to the Lock-hasp (8) to secure that position. Handles (11) are provided for aiding the manual raising and lowering the articulating arms. Reflectors (12) are applied for night time identification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A parking barrier device, Articulated Parking Barrier, is comprised of: a vertically positioned housing structure; a stationed vertical post dividing two parking spaces; two lockable independent articulating arms; a device that is easily articulated from stowed to deployed condition.
 2. The combination Articulated Parking Barrier of claim 1 , wherein the vertical positioning of each device allows independent barrier deployment for two adjacent parking spaces.
 3. The combination Articulated Parking Barrier of claim 1 , wherein the visual obviousness of the device, stowed or deployed, provides a pedestrian and vehicle safe environment.
 4. Each arm articulates about an independent pivot shaft.
 5. Each articulated arm can be independently stowed or deployed.
 6. Each articulated arm can be independently locked in either position.
 7. The combination Articulated Parking Barrier of claim 1 , wherein maintenance or replacement of all element(s) can be quickly, independently and inexpensively accomplished. 